How to Fix a Ripped Porch Screen

Porch screens are subject to wear and tear over time.

Porch screens can take a lot of abuse over the years. They can be pushed in or out by rambunctious children or dogs at play, and busy fingers or just changes in the weather can cause them to stretch and wear over time. Sooner or later, small rips and tears may appear, especially in areas of activity, such as down low near doors and seating areas, or where hands push the screen frequently. Rather than replacing the entire screen -- which in some cases is one large piece tacked into porch posts -- a patch can be made if the rip or hole is relatively small.

1

Determine whether the torn screen is made of metal or fiberglass. Grab the torn area and feel it. Metal screening feels like metal and the loose strands are wire. Fiberglass screening feels smoother, more flexible and similar to plastic; it doesn't feel metallic at all.

2

Measure the rip or hole in the existing screen using a tape measure. Acquire a sizably larger replacement screen piece that matches the composition of the current screen, such as fiberglass replacement screen if the ripped screen is fiberglass. Be sure to match the color as closely as possible as well, since screen materials can vary from metallic silver to green.

3

Cut a rectangular or square piece of screening at least 1 to 2 inches larger on all sides than the damaged screen area. The larger the damaged area, the larger the overlap area need to be on the fresh piece you use as a patch.

4

Unravel and pull several strands off all sides of the perimeter of the patch; pull horizontal strands off the top and bottom and vertical strands off the sides. Bend the remaining strands at a right angle, facing the screen to be patched.

5

Press the angled strands of the patch into place over the torn area, then bend them flat onto the reverse side of the porch screen to secure the patch onto the existing screen. If the patch is made of fiberglass and doesn't stay put well on its own, apply a small amount of clear household cement to the strand edges after the patch is in place.

Things You Will Need

Tape measure

Section of fiberglass or metal screening larger than the rip (material based on original screen material)

Scissors

Heavy duty scissors or metal snips (if metal screening is used)

Clear household cement

Tips

If the rip is more than several inches long or if it is near a window or door frame in an unpatchable area, replacing the entire screen may be a better option.

Many hardware stores sell portions of window screening. Buy a little extra than you'll need and save it for future use.

Whenever possible, match the patch material to the original screen material. For instance, if the original screening is metal, use a metal screen patch. If it's fiberglass, use a fiberglass patch. Fiberglass patch material feels like plastic and is more flexible than its metal counterpart, so it is fairly easy to determine the composition of your original screen.

Warnings

Wires on metal screening, especially from old screen, are quite sharp and can puncture your fingertips if you are not careful. Use care when handling metal screen or wear protective gloves.

If the porch screen is plastic, a patch may not work well. In that case the screen will need to be replaced.

About the Author

Kathy Adams won several investigative journalism awards from the Associated Press. Adams has ghostwritten several books and content for A-list musicians' websites. She is equally at home repurposing furniture and found objects into art as she is managing bands and community gardening efforts, running non-profit organizations and writing about healthy alternatives to household chemicals.